Walter Banek

The Right Reverend

Walter R. Banek
Bishop Suffragan of Mid-America
ChurchReformed Episcopal Church, Anglican Church in North America
DioceseMid-America
In office2017–present
Orders
Ordination1989 (diaconate)
1993 (priesthood)
ConsecrationAugust 23, 2017
by Foley Beach
Personal details
Born1952 (age 71–72)
Chicago
SpouseNelda Louise Hoyt
Children7
Alma mater

Walter Raymond Banek is an American Anglican bishop and classical Christian educator. He is currently serving as bishop suffragan in the Reformed Episcopal Church's Diocese of Mid-America and as rector of Good Shepherd Church in Tyler, Texas.

Biography

Banek was raised in Chicago as the son of German immigrants.[1] He studied architecture at the University of Illinois before transferring to Moody Bible Institute to finish his degree in 1975.[1] That same year, he married Nelda Louise Hoyt, whom he had met at Moody.[1] They have seven grown children (three adopted from Russia) and 20 grandchildren.[2]

In 1981, Banek became headmaster of Good Shepherd School in Tyler,[2] which had been founded two years prior, and developed its classical Christian curriculum and teaching model.[3] In 1989, the school's sponsor, Good Shepherd Church, was constituted as a member of the Reformed Episcopal Church,[3] and Banek was ordained a deacon in the REC.[1] He was ordained as a priest in 1993, at which point he transitioned from headmaster to rector of the parish.[3] Banek completed his M.Div. at Cummins Theological Seminary in 2000.[1]

In 2017, Banek was elected bishop suffragan of the Diocese of Mid-America.[1] He remained rector of Good Shepherd in addition to his episcopal duties. Anglican Church in North America Primate Foley Beach consecrated Banek on August 23, 2017, at the Cathedral Church of the Holy Communion in Dallas.[4] He is a council member of Forward in Faith North America, which promotes Anglo-Catholic worship and opposes women's ordination.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "COLLEGE OF BISHOPS APPROVES ADMISSION OF FOUR NEW BISHOPS". Anglican Church in North America. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  2. ^ a b "Resident Clergy". Good Shepherd Reformed Episcopal Church. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  3. ^ a b c "Christian Heritage". Good Shepherd School. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  4. ^ "REPORTS FOR THE ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH SYNOD OF THE DIOCESE OF MID-AMERICA OF THE REFORMED EPISCOPAL CHURCH" (PDF). Diocese of Mid-America. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  5. ^ "FORWARD IN FAITH BLASTS KENYAN ARCHBISHOP OVER CONSECRATION OF WOMAN BISHOP". FIFNA. Retrieved 28 October 2022.